ALEX Lesson Plans

Title: Writing About Issues in the Media
Description:
In this lesson students analyze media coverage of current issues and present their findings in a formal research paper and class presentation.
Standard(s):

Subject: English Language Arts (12) Title: Writing About Issues in the MediaDescription: In this lesson students analyze media coverage of current issues and present their findings in a formal research paper and class presentation.

Thinkfinity Lesson Plans

Title: Quest for the American Dream in ''A Raisin in the Sun''
Description:
In lesson, from EDSITEment, critical reading and analysis of the play A Raisin in the Sunis complemented with a close examination of biographical and historical documents that students use as the basis for creating speeches, essays and scripts. The play, by Lorraine Hansberry, chronicles the history of the Younger family as they attempt to escape ghetto life in 1950s America.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (11) 27: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. [W.11-12.9]

Subject: Language Arts,Social StudiesTitle: Quest for the American Dream in ''A Raisin in the Sun''Description: In lesson, from EDSITEment, critical reading and analysis of the play A Raisin in the Sunis complemented with a close examination of biographical and historical documents that students use as the basis for creating speeches, essays and scripts. The play, by Lorraine Hansberry, chronicles the history of the Younger family as they attempt to escape ghetto life in 1950s America.Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: 'Hamlet'' and the Elizabethan Revenge Ethic in Text and Film
Description:
This lesson, from EDSITEment, contains a set of five activities for students to explore the themes of honor, loyalty, and revenge in selected scenes from Hamlet. These activities involve literary analysis of the text, discussions of characterization and motive, and comparison with a cinematic adaptation of the play.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (12) 29: Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on Grade 12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. [SL.11-12.1]

Subject: Arts,Language Arts,Social StudiesTitle: 'Hamlet'' and the Elizabethan Revenge Ethic in Text and FilmDescription: This lesson, from EDSITEment, contains a set of five activities for students to explore the themes of honor, loyalty, and revenge in selected scenes from Hamlet. These activities involve literary analysis of the text, discussions of characterization and motive, and comparison with a cinematic adaptation of the play.Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: Shakespeare's ''Othello'' and the Power of Language
Description:
This lesson, from EDSITEment, contains seven activities for students to explore the linguistic ingenuity of Iago's rhetoric in Shakespeare's tragedy Othello. The activities involve a close study of key scenes, using worksheets to focus on the use of language to reveal character, motive, and theme. The final activity allows students to compose their own persuasive writing inspired by Iago's wordplay or a literary essay analyzing Iago's speeches.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (12) 32: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and a range of formal and informal tasks. [SL.11-12.4]

Subject: Arts,Language ArtsTitle: Shakespeare's ''Othello'' and the Power of LanguageDescription: This lesson, from EDSITEment, contains seven activities for students to explore the linguistic ingenuity of Iago's rhetoric in Shakespeare's tragedy Othello. The activities involve a close study of key scenes, using worksheets to focus on the use of language to reveal character, motive, and theme. The final activity allows students to compose their own persuasive writing inspired by Iago's wordplay or a literary essay analyzing Iago's speeches.Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: The Beauty of Anglo Saxon Poetry: A Prelude to ''Beowulf''
Description:
This EDSITEment lesson is an introduction to Anglo-Saxon literature. In it, students study the manuscripts and riddles of the early Middle Ages. By capturing their attention and imagination with visually stunning images of Anglo-Saxon manuscripts available through EDSITEment resources, this lesson prepares students to read Beowulf with an appreciation for its artistry and beauty. Students study online early manuscripts, learn the conventions of Anglo-Saxon poetry, solve online riddles, write riddles, and reflect on what they have learned.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (12) 30: Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) in order to make informed decisions and solve problems, evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source and noting any discrepancies among the data. [SL.11-12.2]

Subject: Language Arts,Social StudiesTitle: The Beauty of Anglo Saxon Poetry: A Prelude to ''Beowulf''Description: This EDSITEment lesson is an introduction to Anglo-Saxon literature. In it, students study the manuscripts and riddles of the early Middle Ages. By capturing their attention and imagination with visually stunning images of Anglo-Saxon manuscripts available through EDSITEment resources, this lesson prepares students to read Beowulf with an appreciation for its artistry and beauty. Students study online early manuscripts, learn the conventions of Anglo-Saxon poetry, solve online riddles, write riddles, and reflect on what they have learned.Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: Decoding the Dystopian Characteristics of Macintosh's 1984 Commercial
Description:
This lesson uses the 1984 Macintosh Commercial to introduce students to dystopian characteristics. Students analyze techniques used in the commercial and identify the comments that it makes about contemporary society.
Standard(s):

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: Decoding the Dystopian Characteristics of Macintosh's 1984 CommercialDescription: This lesson uses the 1984 Macintosh Commercial to introduce students to dystopian characteristics. Students analyze techniques used in the commercial and identify the comments that it makes about contemporary society.Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThinkGrade Span: 9,10,11,12

Title: Argument, Persuasion, or Propaganda? Analyzing World War II Posters
Description:
Students analyze World War II posters, as a group and then independently, to explore how argument, persuasion and propaganda differ.
Standard(s):

Title: Exploring the Power of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Words through Diamante Poetry
Description:
Students explore the ways that powerful and passionate words communicate the concepts of freedom, justice, discrimination, and the American Dream in Martin Luther King, Jr.'s '' I Have a Dream'' speech.
Standard(s): [ELA2013] (12) 22: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 19-21 above.) [W.11-12.4]

Thinkfinity Learning Activities

Title: Jonathan Swift was born on this day in 1667.
Description:
Students explore satire and parody in television and film, advertising, and journalism and create a display that highlights their findings.
Standard(s):

Subject: Language ArtsTitle: Jonathan Swift was born on this day in 1667.Description: Students explore satire and parody in television and film, advertising, and journalism and create a display that highlights their findings.Thinkfinity Partner: ReadWriteThinkGrade Span: 9,10,11,12